When my daughter broke one wrist and sprained the other, resulting in her having to wear a cast and splint for several weeks, it felt like summer was over before it really even began.
As I brainstormed with a friend some ideas for hands-free summer fun, she suggested taking a break by spending a night away. The idea of having someone else cook, clean, and provide entertainment sounded like just the thing we needed for a summer reset.
I received a complimentary stay at Gaylord Rockies to facilitate this review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
We checked into the Gaylord Rockies Resort for an overnight adventure of pirates, princesses, and pool parties during the resort's themed seasonal event, the Summer of More.
The lineup of family-friendly activities is AMAZING!
In addition to its year-round amenities such as a heated indoor pool, Relâche Spa, on-site restaurants, and picturesque mountain views, Gaylord Rockies Resort invites guests to enjoy a Summer of More, an immersive family experience with pirate and princess-themed encounters.
Upon checking in at the front desk, we were given a map of the resort, a resource guide (with information regarding restaurants, live music, housekeeping, parking, and spa services), our pool wristbands, and a week-at-a-glance schedule of family-friendly fun happening during our visit.
Though this wasn't our first trip to the resort, we still managed to discover new and exciting elements of family-friendly fun. With more than two dozen activities on the schedule, we were excited to find experiences that every family member could enjoy.
My kids were immediately drawn to the dive-in movies, live animal encounters, and resort-wide scavenger hunt while my husband and I perked up at the culinary experiences and competitive opportunities like poolside bingo and family trivia.
Macaroni KID tips: It may be tempting to head straight out to the lazy river, but we suggest looking through the activity schedule FIRST! And when it comes to packing, be prepared with athletic shoes and activewear for competitive sporting opportunities like pickleball, ping pong, and basketball.
To get in the pirate and princess spirit, we booked a timeslot for The Captain’s Hidden Treasure Escape Room. This ended up being our favorite experience of the weekend. The puzzles were challenging yet doable even for our 8 and 9-year-old participants. Our host, Emerald, was in the room throughout the duration of our experience, and she helped keep us on track to find the treasure.
Unlike other escape rooms we have tried, this one ended up with actual treasure for our family to take home which was a fun, unexpected surprise.
Macaroni KID tip: Book your escape room timeslot prior to arriving at the resort because spaces are limited and it books up quickly.
Wandering throughout the resort is a relaxing and fun experience in itself. I enjoyed the majestic views of the Denver skyline and the Rocky Mountains from the Grand Lodge while my kids hunted for tracking markers with the Wildlife Rescue Augmented Reality App.
How the Wildlife Rescue app works: Search for the yellow tracking markers throughout the lobby and grand lodge areas of the resort. Scan the marker with your device and watch an animal come to life. Snap a photo with a dozen different wild animals only visible to those with the camera.
For a full list of offerings and to book an overnight stay, room package, or events and activities, visit GaylordRockies.com. #sponsored #GaylordRockies #SummerofMore
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About Gaylord Rockies Resort and Convention Center
Located minutes from both the Denver International Airport and Downtown Denver, Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center opened in December 2018. The resort destination features 1,501 guest rooms, including 114 well-appointed suites, and more than 500,000 square feet of meeting and convention space.
Packages and Tickets Information:
Gaylord Rockies offers summer packages that include guest rooms, event tickets, and resort credit so guests can bundle the fun and make the most of their stay. To book rooms, packages, spa treatments, and buy tickets for Pirates & Princesses activities, guests may visit GaylordRockies.com.
